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Suggest Treatment For Spinal Contusion At C-2 Level
Question: They may assign me to the same doctor, but I just have one pressing question related to my injury. As I have posted before I suffered a spinal contusion at C-2 level as the result of being hit by a semi truck. It hurt pretty bad after the accident. In fact, part of my left side was numb for a week or so. Have had all types of pain in neck area. Burning, stabbing, dull, sharp etc etc.
It's been roughly 10 months since the injury. My question is, while the injury slowly healed, I still get bouts of horrible pain in my neck region, especially my shoulder. It used to be daily pain. I can't even swing a golf club exactly how I used to. What are the chances that some of this is just going to be permanent and I will have to learn to adjust accordingly.
It's been roughly 10 months since the injury. My question is, while the injury slowly healed, I still get bouts of horrible pain in my neck region, especially my shoulder. It used to be daily pain. I can't even swing a golf club exactly how I used to. What are the chances that some of this is just going to be permanent and I will have to learn to adjust accordingly.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It is common after such a serious spinal trauma for there to remain some symptoms. It can be due to two factors. The first is the damage sustained by the spinal cord which can be associated with neuropathic pain. The second is the damage sustained by the supporting system, the vertebrae, joints and ligaments.
Nervous system unfortunately is the system with less regenerating potential in the body, and also even when new synapses are formed between nerve fibers their order and relationship is distorted compared to original state. So there is the chance that neuropathic pain may be a persistent feature.
Spinal bone and ligament damage also can have their repercussions. Our spines degenerate with aging and spinal trauma by damaging the supportive system, disruption the balance and distribution of the load on the spine does accelerate spinal degenerative changes which also can cause chronic pain irradiating also in the shoulder and reduced mobility.
So what I am trying to say is that the chance of some symptoms persisting is present. Improvement after spinal injury is expected for at least a year, even up to two years and every individual is different with its characteristics. But the longer the time goes by, the less the chances for complete recovery if the symptoms are still there. So after 10 months there is still hope, you should continue physical therapy, but there is a chance some of these symptoms will persist unfortunately.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It is common after such a serious spinal trauma for there to remain some symptoms. It can be due to two factors. The first is the damage sustained by the spinal cord which can be associated with neuropathic pain. The second is the damage sustained by the supporting system, the vertebrae, joints and ligaments.
Nervous system unfortunately is the system with less regenerating potential in the body, and also even when new synapses are formed between nerve fibers their order and relationship is distorted compared to original state. So there is the chance that neuropathic pain may be a persistent feature.
Spinal bone and ligament damage also can have their repercussions. Our spines degenerate with aging and spinal trauma by damaging the supportive system, disruption the balance and distribution of the load on the spine does accelerate spinal degenerative changes which also can cause chronic pain irradiating also in the shoulder and reduced mobility.
So what I am trying to say is that the chance of some symptoms persisting is present. Improvement after spinal injury is expected for at least a year, even up to two years and every individual is different with its characteristics. But the longer the time goes by, the less the chances for complete recovery if the symptoms are still there. So after 10 months there is still hope, you should continue physical therapy, but there is a chance some of these symptoms will persist unfortunately.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yeah, I've been having a bunch of chest problems as of late also. The last month I've had horrific chest pain both to the touch and nerve pain that travels to arm and shoulders. Sleeping was impossible. Had a negative CT scan last week, but my neurologist says he can feel that the rib head is slightly raised and out of place.
A little background. 9 months ago in my first meeting with my treating neurologist, he was able to pop the chest rib back into place. 9 months later its causing me extreme pain. Can't even wear a seatbelt properly.
I am going to see a trauma specialist this week, to find out what exactly is wrong with my chest. My neurologist is confident this person will know how to proceed.
Just wanted to know your thoughts. MRI likely wont be needed I dont think?
A little background. 9 months ago in my first meeting with my treating neurologist, he was able to pop the chest rib back into place. 9 months later its causing me extreme pain. Can't even wear a seatbelt properly.
I am going to see a trauma specialist this week, to find out what exactly is wrong with my chest. My neurologist is confident this person will know how to proceed.
Just wanted to know your thoughts. MRI likely wont be needed I dont think?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
I had read the CT report and the neurologist opinion. I must say I found it a little puzzling though, because if there is a rib which is so out of socket to be able to palpate it then it should have been visible on the CT. I am not excluding there to be an issue with the rib joint, only that detail of it being touched.
Since yours is not a simple straightforward case and there hasn't been found a good explanation it is good that you are going to a trauma specialist. Whether he might indicate a MRI depends on his physical exam findings. It is possible though, while the CT is as good as MRI for bones and excludes fractures, MRI does have a superiority for soft tissue, so it does give a better view of a joint itself, as well as the muscles and ligaments.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
I had read the CT report and the neurologist opinion. I must say I found it a little puzzling though, because if there is a rib which is so out of socket to be able to palpate it then it should have been visible on the CT. I am not excluding there to be an issue with the rib joint, only that detail of it being touched.
Since yours is not a simple straightforward case and there hasn't been found a good explanation it is good that you are going to a trauma specialist. Whether he might indicate a MRI depends on his physical exam findings. It is possible though, while the CT is as good as MRI for bones and excludes fractures, MRI does have a superiority for soft tissue, so it does give a better view of a joint itself, as well as the muscles and ligaments.
I hope to have been of help.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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